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| Brand: Pentax
Category: Photography
List Price: $699.95
Buy New: $469.99
You Save: $229.96 (33%)
New (26) Used (1)
Avg. Customer Rating:  75 reviews
Sales Rank: 172
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 3
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 55
Minimum Focal Length: 18
Maximum Resolution: 10
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 5.2 x 3.7 x 2.9
MPN: 19554
Model: 19554
UPC: 027075139855
EAN: 0027075139855
ASIN: B0012Q72IY
Release Date: March 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Excellent August 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It is simply the best of its class overall. I love PENTAXES. I was a Canon person in film. Did not like the feel & handling of Canon lower model cameras. Their images turn out soft as well. I like PENTAX colors more than Nikon's.
Just a great camera to enjoy. I also have K10D & K20D. K200D is my camera to just hang around town
Great camera to learn and grow August 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's a great camera. I'm a good 35mm photographer learner D SLR's for the first time and this camera has a lot of great settings to help out in the beginning of the process or for someone who can zoom in and ut but basically wants high quality family snapshots.
I have a few problems with the controls, as I am yet unable (after a few weeks) to operate the F-Stop/Aperture setting which I can do easily on other brands. But I'm sure that as soon as I actually finish reading th huge manual I'll be able to do it. For now, the dials, though I looked them up are confusing, esp. since some of the things you have to do through menu, not dials.
No battery pack-- something I thought would be a CON is great. Lithium AA lasted for over 1800 pics with Shake Reduction on always, constant review, and about 1/4 built-in flash use. (I don't have the additional battery grip). It will take any AA including rechargeables (though they claim they aren't recommended for best function I haven't had a problem and regular throw aways).
I bought this camera because it is in a lower price range for its features-- most other lines only offer shake reduction built into the body of the camera in the next price range along with the huge amount of preset picture modes and options for creativity (the advanced modes).
I haven't found the dials as easy to use as friends' Canon's (I can pick them up and change the settings without knowing their cameras)but I like this camera better, and the same product is available for a cheaper price. It also fits my set of PENTAX 35mm lenses which is a no brainer and a unique quality.
I say this is a better camera than its similarly priced competitors by far, esp. with the functions. But it can be a bit tricky to use.
Excellent Value August 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I knew I wanted a 50mm/1.4 lens for baby portraits (main excuse for getting a DSLR). Compared different offerings from Canon, Nikon, Sony etc. When paired with a 50mm/1.4 lens, nothing could beat this in value and features. Shake reduction combined with a fast lens means great indoor shots without the use of flash and extremely shallow depth of field. I haven't been out much to test the kit lens (hard to do when you have an infant), but a few test shots looked good. Only draw back is that it didn't include rechargeable batteries with a charger, but it's easy enough to find AA rechargeables.
A Big Step Up to dSLR August 6, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I recently upgraded from a P&S to the Pentax K200D. Although I miss some aspects of the P&S, overall I'm extremely pleased with the K200D. It has a host of features that are lacking from other entry level cameras. Among these are: support for a wide variety of old lenses; in-camera shake reduction; wireless flash capability; SD card; AA battery power; weather sealing; dust removal; pixel mapping; RAW+JPEG. On the negative side: it's missing live-view, a video mode, and is limited in number of continuous shots.
* K mount and in-camera shake reduction: these were the main reason why I decided to go with Pentax. I was looking for a deal on an XSi when this showed up. After some additional research, I decided to abandon the Canon and go with Pentax. My first (non-kit) lens was a 50mm f1.7 manual lens. It's near perfect for < $40. I've also learned that Pentax's shake reduction works in three dimensions: horizontal, vertical, and rotational. Other systems lack the rotational dimension.
* Wireless flash: sort of lucked into this one. I bought the AF360FGZ to go along with the K200D and found out that it supports wireless operation with the AF360FGZ. This feature almost covers the cost of the flash. Me likey!
* SD card: I have a bunch of SD cards and prefer it to other formats. I do need to buy faster and higher capacity cards, though.
* AA power: Sanyo Eneloop. Enough said.
* Weather sealing: not essential for me but nice to have.
* Dust removal/pixel mapping: good additions but haven't used yet.
* RAW+JPEG: takes a lot of memory and is slow but I have mine set to record both for now. The JPEG resolution can be set to low for quick emails/copies.
As far as the drawbacks, the live-view and video mode were convenient but I've gotten used to the view-finder and also bought a new camcorder, too.
For me, the most important part of a dSLR camera system is the lens. So even though this is considered an entry level dSLR, it has enough features and capabilities that'll last me a long time.
I am getting lens-buying addiction (LBA), though.
A great choice August 4, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
My Pentax K200D arrived over 3 weeks ago and I have taken several hundred pictures. I am a dentist and I use this camera to take portrait and close-up photos almost every day. My K200D is combined with a ring flash and a Sigma 105 macro lens. I also bought the 18-55mm lens in case I want to use it outside the office.
It is easy to use and takes beautiful, high resolution pictures that you can crop and enlarge with great results.
I chose this camera over the Sony, Nikon, Canon and Olympus SLR's for several reasons.
I need to take photos quickly and I need to take them all now. I can't wait for a dead battery to recharge. The K200D uses AA batteries. If the rechargeable AA NiMH batteries are dead, I can take them out and temporarily replace them with standard batteries quickly.
The K200D uses an SD card as well as some of my other digital cameras, digital storage devices and my camcorder. My computer has a built-in SD slot so this simplifies my data storage needs.
Since I hand-hold my camera I wanted a camera with image-stabilizing. The K200D has this feature built into the body, not the lens, so the number of lenses available is greater and the cost of lenses is less and I always have this feature available.
If you read reviews on Amazon or other Web pages you may see criticism regarding brightness or color issues with the K200D. I haven't found this to be a problem. If you don't agree with the engineers at Pentax who calibrated the camera you should be aware there are many simple adjustments available to change the brightness or color settings from the Fn menu, Custom Image options and you can have photos "Your Way" from then on.
Since I shoot in M or Manual mode I use the Auto Bracketing feature all the time. All I have to do is push the Shutter button 3 times and one of the exposures will work. The first shot is what I think should work, the 2nd is darker and the 3rd is lighter.
The K200D can take excellent photos for beginners in the simplest mode and can be highly adjustable for the demanding seasoned photographer. I use the camera for work because it is a fine tool and has the features I need, but all digital SLRs are big and heavy for me. I am no longer interested going on vacation carrying 3 or 4 lbs of camera, batteries and lens over my shoulder waiting for that Kodak moment. For travel and vacation I want small cameras that fit in a purse or pocket. My 2 favorites that I have used for years are the Nikon 8400, and when I may take pictures in water, the Pentax W30. Both cameras take video with sound.
Be sure to avoid shady camera websites with prices significantly below Amazon. For the highest confidence I use Amazon.
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